My Contract Husband Resembles the Male Protagonist - Chapter 46
“Are you close with your brother, Miss Enya?”
“Yes, we are close. I mentioned I had a brother when I introduced my family, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“My brother, ah, around this season, he begins preparing for the winter training.”
The winter training involving the Emperor directly gathers all the knight orders for a large-scale joint exercise.
In short, the winter training is a survival challenge involving the morale and honor of each knight order.
‘And a time when the Emperor leaves the capital.’
That might be a good time to visit the capital.
There’s a plant nutrient available only in the capital I wanted to buy.
I’m sure Emma would buy all types and deliver them if I asked.
“Dale, would you like to visit the capital with me this winter?”
“Would that be alright?”
“Yes. The Emperor will be away in the north then.”
“…..”
“The Emperor won’t be there, and the knight orders will be at minimum numbers, so let’s go to the capital.”
“I see.”
Dale looked out the window as if calculating something in his head, then nodded.
“Alright. I will go with you, Miss Enya.”
His expression seemed to harbor anticipation.
“But the Duke of Lockheart will be in the capital, won’t he? Will you be alright?”
“It’s fine with my father. He’s not actively trying to capture me.”
I patted my chest.
“He’s curious to see how far I can go. That’s why, even though he’s close to the Emperor, he only pretends to capture me without actually doing so. I know.”
I suddenly remembered something from the past.
“My father likes unusual things. Once, he brought home a boy out of the blue.”
It was a memory I had completely forgotten. Who was that boy?
Was he a servant?
“Ah… who was it?”
I tilted my head in thought.
“I can’t remember. He must have been a relative. I think he lived at our house for a few days, but I can’t recall anything beyond that.”
“..…”
Dale was quietly observing me. He looked at me with a subdued gaze and fell silent for a moment.
“I see.”
He then turned his head back towards the window.
“That’s a relief.”
“That my father isn’t actively searching for me? I think so too.”
I smiled broadly and blew on my cold hands.
* * *
“We have reorganized the knight order’s supplies in preparation for this winter’s training.”
“..…”
Dale’s advisors gathered around to report to him.
With the tax season over and the weather rapidly cooling, they had to enter training soon, so they had organized the supplies in advance.
“We’ve disposed of all weapons that are not fit for actual combat, and we’ve also completely replaced weapons that were nearing the end of their replacement cycle.”
Soho, the chief advisor, actively briefed him.
“The morale of both the first and second knight orders is quite high. Recently, they discovered and eliminated a dragon’s nest, bringing back all the treasures.”
“The commander of the second knight order was Samuel Lockheart, wasn’t it?”
Dale, who had been listening quietly, looked at one of the advisors.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How is Samuel Lockheart doing?”
For a moment, the advisors exchanged glances.
They couldn’t fathom why he suddenly inquired about the knight’s well-being.
“He… he’s doing well.”
“….”
Silence followed the advisors hesitant answer, prompting Soho to shoot him a glare.
“He’s doing well, then.”
However, Dale did not reprimand the advisor. His cryptic question had left all the advisor with question marks over their heads.
“By the way, Your Majesty. Samuel Lockheart is currently recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the dragon slaying. Is it okay for him to participate in the training?”
“A knight should overcome it.”
Dale spoke indifferently.
“Samuel Lockheart is the commander of the 2nd Knight Division. He cannot be left in the capital.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Soho internally sighed. Even if he was the brother of Lady Lockheart, who couldn’t bear a day without seeing his face, there was no leniency in his treatment.
Then, Dale, who had been slowly scanning the documents, narrowed his eyes.
